Relying on crowd funding is inherently risky. Regardless of whether a project's on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, some never get a fraction of the funding they aim for. Others fall slightly short or, if they're lucky, barely manage to crawl over the finish line. Still, a select few completely blow the doors off. The Canary, pitched as the first smart home security device for everyone, has now successfully acquired just shy of two million dollars in funding, far exceeding its goal of $100,000.

Canary is a sleek pillar-shaped device containing a video camera and sensors capable of tracking movement, changes in air quality, sound, and other activity. The goal is to guard both your family and your home, sending alerts to your smartphone at the indication of a break-in or fire. The device learns over time, so if its alerts initially come as often as a phone call from your parents during your first month at college, don't worry, they should taper off gradually just as their calls did.

From their smartphones, Canary owners can control all aspects of the device's behavior, from when its sensors are in use to which notifications to receive. When an alert does come in, users can choose to make a phone call, send a message, or trigger Canary's siren. Owners don't have to be passive, though, and can instead choose to manually check in with their Canary at any time. The device offers peace of mind and, with its slim profile and color choices, shouldn't clash with your home decor.

Canary is designed to be as simple as possible and takes less than a minute to get up and running. The app and service are free to use and can be installed on as many phones as you want, but there will be paid plans that offer more storage options and a call-center backup. All plans are contract-free.

It's too late to throw more money at the project now, but those who did back Canary should expect to receive their devices next summer. Early backers were able to secure a device for $199, and hopefully the rest of us will be able to get one for around the same price when it eventually hits the market.

Born and raised in the rural South, Bertel knows what it's like to live without 4G LTE - or 3G, for that matter. The only things he likes sweeter than his tea are his gadgets, and while few objects burn more than a metal phone on a summer day, he prefers them that way anyway.

Comments

That actually looks interesting. I wish I had known about it while the campaign was still going.

my95z34

That's what I was just thinking. Now to figure out how to get one... lol

btod

I'm really digging Bertel's writing, he's quickly becoming one of my favorite bloggers here. Keep up the good work bud!

atlouiedog

This looks like a good solution for apartment dwellers for whom typical security systems don't make as much sense.

Jon

Perfect for apartments. But if you put your mind to it, there are dozens of great uses -- keeping track of an elderly parent in a nursing home, watching merchandise on a loading dock, or watching your hotel room when you're on vacation. I was lucky to score a few on Indiegogo. Looking forward to delivery in the Spring or sooner.

skitchbeatz

I thought this was really interesting but for $200 i want to see some user reviews.

Jon

$200 vs. a couple thousand for a built-in system. And it works without a service plan. You just need wi-fi and a smart phone.

Steve Freeman

Does anyone know if the software has a quick way to alert the police/fire/EMS? I mean, other than you just dialing 911, obviously. But like a big red button you can press that sends automated info to whichever emergency responder(s) you select.

http://royblumenthal.com/portfolio royblumenthal

Sounds like a perfect job for Tasker.

Steve Freeman

Huh? Not really, but OK... At least not with how I'm envisioning it. I picture that you get an alert, and the alert has multiple options. Ignore, Alert Police, Alert Fire, Alert EMS, Alert All. Or something like that. I'm not saying that's how it's going to be, but in my mind at least, something like that would be ideal.